Macedonian Zelenčuk Vegan Soup

Zelenčuk (which means vegetable in Macedonian) vegan soup is an easy dish that can be made as a side to your entree, or to be the star of the dining table!

In Macedonia, they use vegetable-based soups to help the transition from appetizer to entree (this is normally a protein for them). They will sometimes even add pasta or a protein to the soup.

As I’m writing this my mouth literally waters at the site of the combination of these ingredients of this vegan soup. I can’t wait to try this recipe! We received this from a girl in Macedonia with other traditional recipes that you should totally check out here. Now that I’m done rambling on, let’s have a look at this bowl of delicious veganess!

Ingredients:

• 3 medium size potatoes
• 1 1/2 cups zucchini (1 medium)
• 1 medium carrot
• 2 green peppers
• 1 onion
• 2 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 8 1/2 cups of water
• Some oil
• Parsley

Directions:

• Add the water in a pot and add the salt, black pepper and the bay leaf;
• Cut the potatoes into small cubes and place them in the water;
• Grate the carrot and add it into the pot;
• In a frying pan, add some oil;
• Chop the onion and the peppers into small cubes and fry them in the pan for 5 minutes;
• Cut the zucchini into small cubes and put them in the pan and fry 7 more minutes;
• Add the mixture from the pan into the pot;
• At the end, mince the garlic and add it into the pan;
• Add some parsley (according to taste);
• Boil for 10 more minutes; Enjoy!

*Benefits of Zucchini*

Zucchini are very high in Vitamin C and antioxidants which makes them great fighting oxidative  stress and inflammation. the high vitamin C also means just one Zucchini can fill 50% of your intake, it also helps maintain the needed lining on blood cells, lower blood pressure, and protect against clogged arteries.